Q: What is the lucky plant for Chinese New Year
2024?
A: 2024 is the year of the Green Wooden Dragon
according to the Chinese calendar. It will be celebrated this year on Saturday,
February 10.
Dragon symbol is considered the most powerful in Chinese astrology,
representing energy, strength, and power.
The lucky plant of the year 2024, the Dragon fruit, steals the show with its striking red skin and juicy
white flesh. Plates overflow with succulent slices of dragon fruit, its fiery red
skin contrasting beautifully with the snowy white flesh speckled with tiny
black seeds, symbolizing prosperity and abundance.
Dragon fruit comes in many varieties that differ in
flavor, sweetness, and texture.
Q: Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow this year?
A: Every Feb. 2, the Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil comes out of
hibernation in Pennsylvania to let his shadow "do the talking." If his shadow appears, Americans are in for six more weeks of winter. If it
doesn't, spring will come early. Last year, the groundhog predicted a longer winter.
This year, Phil did not see his shadow, predicting an early spring!
So, what are we waiting for?
Time to do some plant shopping!
Photo above: Capsicum annuum x chinense - Biquinho Pepper. The small, bright orange to red fruits are
known for their intense habanero flavor, although they typically have little or no heat. In recent years, the Biquinho Pepper has
become popular in South America, and is often pickled and served as a snack with caviar. It is also a great
addition to salsas, guacamoles, and Bloody Marys.
Valentine Sweetheart Hoya:
a must gift for your Valentine
Q: What plant can you recommend for a Valentines
Day present?
A: There is a perfect plant specifically for
Valentine's Day! When it comes to finding the ideal plant for an occasion, it
doesn't get better than this one. The Sweetheart Hoya, also known as Valentine Hoya or Hoya kerrii, is not
only easy to grow but also easy-ship, making it the most user-friendly of all
houseplants. Its popularity has soared in recent years, thanks to its unique
and quirky "heart" shaped leaves that appeal to everyone and bring smiles to
faces. In addition to these charming leaves, the Sweetheart Hoya produces
fragrant, beautiful flowers resembling tiny red stars. These flowers are not only
stunning but also waxy, durable, and long-lasting.
Caring for the Sweetheart Hoya is a breeze, requiring only minimal
attention. It can likely thrive with just one good watering a month - that's how
hardy it is. While this plant prefers a reasonably well-lit room for optimal
growth, it can still fare well in shadier spots, making it a versatile
addition to any home or office. Don't wait till the last moment, get your
Valentine's present now - the best one ever!
We have large developed plants, ready to bloom! Buy one (for her/him) - get one free, for
yourself!
Cat of
the Month:
Winter Adventure of Lisa the Cat
After publishing the story about Skogkatts - Norwegian Forest Cats, we received inquiries about Lisa, if
she is available for adoption? Luckily, Lisa now has her wonderful sweet
home in Sweden, so unfortunately for those who fell in love with her, she is not
adoptable. But Lisa's life story wasn't all that sweet and simple! Rather
thrilling and adventurous. So we decided to share her story with you...
By Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
"...Lisa, who illustrated our story about Skogkatt Cat Breed, lives with my daughter Vanda, along
with her family: husband Vitaly and two children - Max and Maria. They live in
Sweden. Lisa is 13 years old now. About 10 years ago, Lisa had a heartbreaking
adventure almost ended with a tragedy... But luckily, she made it through.
However, since then, she can't jump high and sometimes walks funny, sways and
limps... And here's what happened..."
Q: Winter marks the vegetable season in Florida,
and my half-acre vegetable garden in Highlands County thrives during this
time. I cultivate a variety of produce, including tomatoes, cucumbers, onions,
beets, various lettuces, radishes, and beans. Despite the sandy and poor
soils, I manage a bountiful harvest that not only sustains my extended family but
also provides for friends throughout the winter. To combat our sandy soil
challenges, I heavily rely on fertilizers.
Recently, I came across your Sunshine Boosters products, and the results on my tomatoes were
astonishing. They grew twice as fast compared to those on a "manure" bed. What I
appreciate most about your product is its natural composition, allowing me to
use it on edibles. The convenience of easily integrating liquid fertilizer into
our irrigation system is a game-changer.
I'm curious if you offer budget-friendly deals on your boosters for
larger gardens?
ON SALE TODAY
A: Absolutely! We have just the solution you're
looking for - our
Professional Series of Sunshine Boosters is tailored for avid growers like you.
Having catered to the needs of various crops, including tomato and hemp
farms, our natural, amino acid-based professional formulas are the most economical
choice for any scale of production.
Our professional series covers everything, from small backyard gardens
to extensive greenhouses. The feeding process involves just three solutions
mixed with water in your fertilizer tank: NPK (Advantage or BloomBoom,
depending on the growth stage), Ca-Support (Calcium supplement), and Microelements
(Constanta-Pro). This comprehensive nutrient package meets all your garden's
needs. (See
advanced info about Sunshine PRO products.)
If you haven't implemented an injector system yet, consider the Robuster - an easy-to-install, care-free automatic system that
takes care of all the work for you.
Q: We just moved to Florida and our yard is
currently just plain grass. I want to add some beautiful tropical plants, but I'm not sure
where to start. Can you suggest easy-to-care-for plants that look nice in winter, preferably with flowers? Considering it's Winter
time and some trees look dormant... But I can't wait to start my tropical garden!
A: Florida residents are blessed to have mild
winters, and many tropical and subtropical plants enjoy this climate year around. Just be mindful of your location's specific conditions (sun-shade, wet-dry, cold sensitive or hardy). Here
are some recommendations for easy-to-grow, evergreen plants that love
Florida and look great even in winter. They'll establish well during cooler months, add a splash of color to your garden with their flowers, and even treat you with fruit!
Do you remember that Sunshine Boosters fertilizers can be applied year-round?
As natural fertilizers, their scientifically created formulas provide
perfectly balanced nutrition for your plants throughout the year. Follow the
instructions on the labels and apply Sunshine Boosters with every watering. Give your plants extra boost
during winter months! The fertilizer amount is balanced, adjusting
proportionally to the water amount, which is tailored to the plant's winter needs. Unlike
dry fertilizers, Sunshine Boosters can be used all year without fear of
burning plants with excessive nutrient lockup.
Take advantage of the winter sale and stock up on this perfect plant
food. You'll need plenty by Spring when your plants begin active growth! Use the
code below for 20% off all Sunshine Boosters products. Hurry up, the sale will end in a few
days!
In the photo above: This picture was taken on Christmas Eve, December
24, 2023. The little garden by our B-farm office, irrigated automatically
with
Sunshine Boosters using
the Robuster injector, is thriving in spite of cool nights. Look at this
crazy banana, it is taller than the building, we honestly have never seen a
banana of that size! The solution we are using there is Sunshine Robusta; now available for pick up in 2.5 gal jugs!
Ten
New Year Resolutions:
Diversity in Tropical Garden
1. Diversity. Grow different plants. Add more types of tropical
plants to your garden for a colorful and diverse look.
2. Save Water. Use water wisely by installing drip systems,
collecting rainwater, and using mulch to keep the soil moist.
3. Improve Soil. Make your soil healthier by adding compost or
manure regularly. Healthy soil promotes robust plant growth and enhances
overall garden resilience.
4. Deal with Pests Smartly. Keep pests in check with a plan - use
natural solutions and check your plants often. Preventing program is easier
than dealing with infestations.
5. Right Fertilizing. Feed your plants with Eco-frintdly
fertilizer such as
Sunshine Boosters (safe to use year around). If you use slow-release
fertilizers - apply in right amounts, from March to November.
6. Trim Regularly. Keep your garden tidy and healthy by pruning
and removing dead or sick parts of the plants.
7. Companion Planting. Explore which plants work well together to
enhance nutrient uptake, fight pests and provide shade for those species
that need it.
8. Right Climate and Zone Pushing. Pick plants that love your
climate, considering sunlight, temperature, and humidity. For more sensitive
tropical plants, work on a plan for cold protection: grow them in pots or set up
temporary covers.
9. Teach Others. Share your gardening knowledge with the
community. Propagate your plants from seeds, cuttings, divisions - and share them
with friends and neighbors. Remember: live plant is the best gift, and love is
sharing!
10. Make a Relaxation Spot. Create a cozy corner in your garden
with comfy seating or hammock, shade, and maybe a water feature for a peaceful
retreat.
Q: What can you do with Dragon Fruit? I bought some from the grocery store, but they don't have much flavor.
A:Dragon fruit, or Pitaya, comes in many varieties that differ in flavor,
sweetness, and texture. In the store they usually carry simple varieties
that are easy to ship and store but have very little flavor. This is why we
prefer grow our own Dragon Fruit, same way like we grow many varieties of Mango - to enjoy their
excellent flavors that you can't find in a store. Our favorite is the Yellow Dragon Fruit that
is not only the sweetest of all but also have the best flavor, with
pineapple-mango hint. It is best enjoyed fresh out of hand.
Dragon fruit, regardless of variety, makes excellent smoothies. A
perfect Dragon Fruit Smoothie can be made with a creamy blend of dragon fruit,
mango, and banana. The tropical flavor is played up with a squeeze of fresh
lime.
Ingredients
Mix in a blender:
2 dragon fruit, peeled
cup of mango pulp
1 banana
1 cup of milk of your preference
tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp Lime juce
Some Ice
-
Mint for decoration
Dragon fruit contains lots of of nutrients, most notably high vitamin C
and iron. Its low calorie content helps give it superfood status because of
high nutrient density. Try it today, even from the grocery store! Although these fruit can be quite costly.
So, plant your own Dragon Fruit variety collection and enjoy an endless
palette of deliciousness!
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we
take,
but by the moments that take our breath away."
- Maya Angelou -
"...Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they
are not going to be around forever... ...Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe,
because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side... ...Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that
is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a
cent... ...Remember to say "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones,
but most of all - mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when
it comes from deep inside of you... ...Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that
person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give
time to share the precious thoughts in your mind... ...And always remember, life is not measured by the number of
breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
(A Life message from George Carlin after he lost his wife)
1. Throw out nonessential numbers, including age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay them. 2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. 3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's. 4. Enjoy the simple things. 5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. 6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive. 7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies. Your home is your refuge. 8. Cherish your health. If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. 9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is. 10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
